Your definitive canna tourism guide to Canada’s Farmgate stores.
Farmgate dispensaries represent a new frontier for cannabis in Canada when it comes to canna-tourism. New trails are being blazed that are strengthening Canada’s position as an international destination in the industry.
Farmgate Cannabis stores or dispensaries are budding up across Canada and are expected to flourish just like how the best and most successful craft cannabis brands are. This canna tourism guide will help you find Farmgate stores that are near you so you can plan a cannabis activity in our great green friendly nation. Who wouldn’t want to go visit craft cannabis growers on-site and learn about their process and methods that make them great, while picking up some fantastic bud for yourself?
But first, I think it’s important to discuss what the Farmgate model is all about when it comes to cannabis growers/producers, and canna tourism. I will also break it all down province by province, with regulations, the future outlook, and with Farmgate stores that are open for business in each province.
Topics Included:
- What is Farmgate cannabis?
- Benefits of Farmgate sales to the consumer and industry.
- Top 6 Farmgate destinations and why.
- Provincial regulations breakdown guide with Farmgate stores by province.
So what are Farmgate cannabis stores?
Sugar Cane Cannabis in Williams Lake. BC’s first Farmgate store.
Farmgate cannabis stores offer a retail environment designed to allow direct-to-consumer cannabis sales at their licensed production facility. It’s a unique business model that works in many ways as Canadian brew pubs and some vineyards operate. At these production facilities, retail cannabis stores are set up to serve as their brand ambassador. To help build better connections and loyalty with customers by showing off their best of the best through awareness, education and brand messaging.
This business approach provides unique opportunities for both the consumer and grower/retailer.
It’s important to note that sampling the product is not permitted at Farmgate cannabis stores since consumption lounges are not permitted in Canada yet.
Benefits of Farmgate cannabis sales to the consumer and industry.
- Farmgate sales in general offer exciting and profitable opportunities as wineries and craft breweries have proven.
- Provides flexibility in the market, giving the smaller industry players a chance to compete that is key when it comes to the diversity the cannabis market needs.
- Creates employment and stimulates rural economies. In BC for example, legacy growers would be further motivated to transition into the legal market. BC has a diverse and notorious cannabis culture, the more growers who enter the legal market as micro-cultivators with Farmgate sales attached is a step in the right direction to the success of legal cannabis in Canada.
- Supports the cannabis consumer and destigmatizes cannabis consumption through education not otherwise available. There are no other types of education centers where you can see and learn about cannabis production and processing.
- Licensed producers get increased visibility with more opportunities to educate customers about their brand and products at their own facility.
- Consumers get a unique canna tourism experience with locally grown fresher products that are processed and packaged in-house.
- Promotes direct exchanges between producers and consumers; an interactive experience.
Top 6 Farmgate destinations in Canada.
Take a deeper dive into some of Canada’s trend setting Farmgate dispensaries. Learn why we chose them as the best, who they are and what they stand for. Also get reviews and get excited, this is ground breaking stuff!
Thrive Farmgate Cannabis
Welcome to Thrive Cannabis, Canada’s first Farmgate store. As the first LP to open a Farmgate store, focus is on our Greybeard and Being brands with a curated selection of flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, vapes, and quick strips. Our products are hand picked, packed and delivered directly from our facility to our store to ensure the […]
Sugar Cane Cannabis
Welcome to Sugar Cane Cannabis, BC’s first farm-to-table pot shop. Sugar Cane Cannabis, Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) cannabis cultivation brand, is distinguished for being BC’s first Farmgate cannabis retail store. The Farmgate store and Unity Cannabis stores are 100% Indigenous-owned, and are pioneered through our cultivation brand of small batches of our own cannabis. […]
E.C.O. Trading Post
Welcome to E.C.O. Trading Post Farmgate at New Brunswick Trail. E.C.O. Trading Post offers locally grown and cultivated New Brunswick cannabis products including flower, extracts, edibles, topicals. We also offer direct sale of clones, vegetative plants, and seeds in addition to hands-on educational workshops, facility tours and non-cannabis products and accessories. Please leave your E.C.O. […]
Station House Cannabis Co.
Station House Cannabis Co. Farmgate Market offers same day delivery. Station House Cannabis Co. is more than just a cannabis store in St. Thomas, Ontario. It’s a unique Farmgate Market experience attached to our licensed cannabis facilities producing Sensi Brands. Our friendly and helpful Station House crew is always ready to educate and help select […]
Stewart Farms Herbal Dispensary
Welcome to Stewart Farms Herbal Dispensary and Farmgate. Stewart Farms is a pioneering sustainable farming company that specializes in indoor vertical aquaponics, offering premium cannabis products grown naturally. In addition to their cannabis products, Stewart Farms also offers a range of wellness-centered products like topical balms featuring cannabis and traditional anti-inflammation herbs like turmeric, lavender, […]
Royal Cannabis Supply
Welcome to Royal Cannabis Supply Co. Now offering same day weed delivery to Etobicoke with a wide range of cannabis products. Royal Cannabis Supply Co. is the first farm gate location in the Greater Toronto Area, and only the second location in the entire country! We cultivate strictly small-batch craft cannabis under our home-grown brand, […]
The top 6 explained.
Thrive Cannabis Farmgate Store is Canada’s first Farmgate operation and home of Greybeard Cannabis, Canada’s best-selling concentrates and vapes. Greybeard’s concentrates are produced from sun-grown, premium cannabis, raised outside by the masters, using natural products and processes. All of the Greybeard Cannabis products that are sold in-store are grown and produced on-site, on their 84 acre farm in Jarvis, Ontario. Thrive’s Farmgate store produces several other top brands offering a unique experience to choose among a variety of the highest quality, premium cannabis strains and products.
Sugar Cane Cannabis is British Columbia’s very first Farmgate destination and experience. It’s 100% indigenous owned by the Williams Lake First Nation along with their Unity Cannabis stores. Their state-of-the-art micro-cultivation facility and retail space includes a gallery area offering visitors a window into one of the facility’s five grow rooms. We love the quality of their brand and acknowledge leadership in support of BC Craft Cannabis, while demonstrating a successful model for rural, economic sustainability.
E.C.O. Trading Post is accessible to all the tourist action in Rexton and on the New Brunswick Trail. They offer hands-on educational workshops and facility tours designed to educate and further elevate your whole experience. This family-owned, licenced producer and their team of experts are committed to providing the highest quality lab-tested and organically-grown cannabis. Their brand Eco Canadian Organic produces the best-in-class cultivars, perfecting their “One Strain at a Time” approach to growing their product line. They are industry leaders in organic cannabis farming, using methods that include living soil, biological pest management and artesian well water.
Bullrider Farmgate Cannabis (Please note that this store is permanently closed) dispensary is among Canada’s first Farmgate destinations located in Brampton, Ontario. I love the fact that they cultivate limited offerings of small-batch, exotic cannabis strains on-site. They are known to have some of the most exclusive strains on the Canadian market. Bullrider’s legendary grower and breeder, Jeff Tek, cultivated its proprietary, award-winning strain – Afghani Bullrider. This famous strain was inspired by Jeff’s relentless commitment to grow the best and most unique strains to improve the quality of life for people around the world. I am intrigued by Bullrider, they are a legendary brand. You will have an amazing experience visiting their Farmgate store and learning more about their exotic strains and their reason for being.
Station House Cannabis Co. showcases its top-selling Sensi Brands in its market-style Farmgate store. They incorporate the “Railway City of Canada” into its brand that helps elevate St. Thomas’ historic heritage. It is clear that they are over-the-top proud to bring cannabis products and local jobs to their community. Station House has an expressed mandate to inform consumers through education and to help destigmatize cannabis. In my opinion, they have an excellent approach to their cannabis education including live streams of their grow room and production space. This way you can see for yourself their growing stages and procedures. The Station House recognizes that regulated cannabis products come with harms at times, and an educated consumer is an integral component for the safe and enjoyable use of cannabis products. These guys get it. They accept their responsibility of informed consent. I think everyone with skin in the game should educate their customers as well as Station House.
Royal Cannabis Supply is the 2nd Farmgate in Canada and is located in the greater Toronto area near Pearson International Airport. I am a big fan of craft cannabis, and these guys cultivate small batch cannabis flower that’s hand trimmed, hang-dried, non-irradiated and pesticide free. Also on offer are their unique selection of several in-house brands, all produced on-site including hash, edibles and pre-rolls. A visit offers multiple canna-sensations including incredible smells of their fresh crop, a peek of the “big room” with over 1000 growing plants, with video streams of their production. Online reviews reveal that Royal Cannabis Supply has a great reputation for amazing customer service and product knowledge, they will help you get what you want and keep you coming back for more.
Farmgate Canada provincial breakdown.
This guide is intended to help you learn more about Farmgate cannabis access in Canada. Including a provincial breakdown of Farmgate regulations and storefronts that are open now and/or opening soon for business. Budhub.ca has it’s fingers on the pulse on everything related to canna tourism in Canada. I have been appointed to keeping this Farmgate resource updated and I am committed to providing you with the best and most current information as it unfolds.
Government of Canada: “Under the Cannabis Act, Section 69, the possession, sale, and distribution of cannabis is only permitted if authorized by provincial statute. Each province has their own legal framework for Farmgate licensing requirements.
British Columbia
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- July 2022, the Farmgate Program in BC permits licensed cannabis producers (LP’s) to open Farmgate stores offering on-site sales and consumption experiences. They can also deliver directly to other BC retail stores and ship orders directly to consumers.
List of Farmgate dispensaries in British Columbia.
- Sugar Cane Cannabis Williams Lake
Alberta
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- There are no Farmgate stores in Alberta.
- Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) allows cannabis retail stores to operate adjacent to a licensed production facility.
Other important Farmgate regulations in Alberta.
- The AGLC does not impose ownership restrictions limiting the percentage of ownership by licensed producers and the number of stores owned by a single company in the province. Still, the cannabis retail store must be established and operate as a separate entity.
- Access is not permitted from any area of the premises to another business.
Saskatchewan
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- There are no Farmgate stores in Saskatchewan.
- Saskatchewan allows Farmgate sales with no restrictions on the number of stores however there are currently no Farmgate stores open at cultivation sites.
Other important Farmgate regulations in Saskatchewan.
- The AGLC does not impose ownership restrictions limiting the percentage of ownership by licensed producers and the number of stores owned by a single company in the province. Still, the cannabis retail store must be established and operate as a separate entity.
- Access is not permitted from any area of the premises to another business.
Manitoba
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- There are no Farmgate stores in Manitoba.
- Farmgate cannabis is still relatively new; Manitoba hasn’t established a cannabis Farmgate retail framework yet.
Ontario
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for regulating cannabis retail stores. As of July 2022, 25 licensed producers have applied for a Retail Operator License (ROL). This is the first stage of the province’s Farmgate licensing rollout. The second stage is to obtain a Retail Store Authorization (RSA) and currently 14 have submitted a request. The third stage of licensing a Farmgate store is for the Licensed Producer LP to obtain a Retail Manager License.
Other important Farmgate regulations in Ontario.
- Licensed Farmgate stores are still required to sell their product through the government store Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS).
- While the product may be sold directly to the customer from the production facility, a producer must buy all products from the government store first. And products sold from other Canadian producers must also be physically purchased and distributed through the government middleman.
List of Farmgate dispensaries in Ontario.
- Thrive Cannabis in Jarvis, ON producing the Greybeard Cannabis brand on premises.
- Royal Cannabis Supply Co by Medz Cannabis in Etobicoke is the 2nd Farmgate store.
- Station House Cannabis in St. Thomas is a retail location attached to Sensi Brands, Ontario’s 3rd cannabis Farmgate store.
- Bullrider Cannabis is Ontario’s 4th Farmgate store opened July 26, 2022.
Quebec
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- There are no Farmgate stores in Quebec.
- Farmgate cannabis is still relatively new; Quebec hasn’t established a cannabis Farmgate retail framework yet.
New Brunswick
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- Cannabis New Brunswick is responsible for managing the retail cannabis sales for the province under the crown corporation, The New Brunswick Liquor Corporation ( ANBL).
- New Brunswick is the second province in Canada to have created a formal cannabis Farmgate program.
Other important Farmgate regulations in New Brunswick.
- Provincial rules only allow Farmgate stores to sell products only grown in New Brunswick.
- As per federal and provincial rules, all Farmgate cannabis must be grown, produced, and packaged on-site as well as meet all Health Canada regulations, including packaging, labelling, testing requirements, excise stamps and social responsibility.
List of Farmgate dispensaries in New Brunswick.
- Crystal Cure in Shediac Cape, Le Backdoor, Atlantic Canada’s first Farmgate store. With future plans for lodging, a health spa and an education center.
- Eco Canadian Organic has opened the 2nd Farmgate store in NB called The Trading Post and is located in Rexton.
- Sana’a Craft Cannabis is a cannabis cultivator and processer located in Miramichi.
- Stewart Farms Herbal Dispensary is a pioneering sustainable farming company specializing in indoor, vertical, aquaponics.
Nova Scotia
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- There are currently no Farmgate stores in Nova Scotia.
- Farmgate cannabis is still relatively new; Nova Scotia hasn’t established a cannabis Farmgate retail framework yet.
PEI
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- There are currently no Farmgate stores in PEI.
- Farmgate cannabis is still relatively new; PEI hasn’t established a cannabis Farmgate retail framework yet.
NFLD and Labrador
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- There are no Farmgate stores in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- The Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation regulates the possession, sale and delivery of non-medical cannabis under the authority of the Government.
- Although Farmgate retail locations are allowed, the province has not released an official Farmgate program yet. Cannabis producers are allowed to apply for a license at or near their facility at the discretion of the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation.
NWT
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- There are currently no Farmgate stores in Northwest Territories.
- Farmgate cannabis is still relatively new; NWT hasn’t established a cannabis Farmgate retail framework yet.
Yukon
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- There are currently no Farmgate stores in Yukon.
- Farmgate cannabis is still relatively new; Yukon hasn’t established a cannabis Farmgate retail framework yet.
Nunavut
Farmgate cannabis overview.
- There are currently no Farmgate stores in Nunavut.
- Farmgate cannabis is still relatively new; Nunavut hasn’t established a cannabis Farmgate retail framework yet.
The future is bright.
I hope that this Farmgate Cannabis store guide shined some light on Canada’s new canna tourism sector and helped you find a 420 activity. Looking foward, the future is very promising for all cannabis enthusiasts across Canada and worldwide. New Farmgate stores are opening almost every week while provincial regulations are loosening up. This gives Farmgate retailers and brands the space they need to strut their stuff to be more competitive in the marketplace. Soon cannabis consumption lounges will be a thing and consumers will have the added luxury of enjoying their favorite strains right at the Farmgate destination.
So, get out there and support cannabis tourism in Canada and enjoy a Farmgate experience today.
Cheers,
Anna Gray
Budhub.ca
